Tata Motors MD and CEO Guenter Butschek to step down after June 2021
Tata confirmed he will be leaving after this month, but will continue as a consultant to the company till the end of this fiscal year. Girish Wagh, President-Commercial Vehicles, to take over as Executive Director, effective July 1
After much speculations, it is final. Guenter Butschek will leave his position of Chief and MD at Tata Motors on June 30, 2021, after a tenure of over five years, confirmed the automaker on Wednesday. However, he will continue as a consultant to the company till the end of this fiscal year. The auto major also said it has appointed Girish Wagh as executive director with effect from July 1, 2021. Wagh currently heads the brand’s commercial vehicle operations.
“Leading Tata Motors over the last 5 years was an exciting experience. The business fundamentals are stronger, and we are well positioned to leverage the opportunities in both the commercial and passenger vehicles. I look forward to my continued association with the company as a consultant in the coming months,” Butschek expressed.
Butschek had earlier informed the Indian automaker of his desire to relocate to Germany at the end of the contract for personal reasons. Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said: “I would like to thank Guenter for leading Tata Motors successfully over the last 5 years and creating a strong foundation for the future. I look forward to his continued inputs as a consultant to the Company.”
Before joining Tata Motors, Butschek had also served as the former Airbus chief operating officer. He had joined the Indian auto giant as managing director and chief executive of local operations in 2016, filling up the positions left vacant after the death of Karl Slym in January 2014. Since then, he has been on a mission to turn around the bleeding domestic business of the home-grown automaker. In his current position, Butschek is responsible for leading all operations of the company in India as well as in the international markets including South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and South Africa.
After stepping down from his position, Guenter Butschek’s role will be filled by Girish Wagh, who is currently serving as the president of the commercial vehicles division at Tata Motors. Wagh will act as the automaker’s new executive director.
According to the press release of Wednesday, Tata Motors’ domestic business has successfully transitioned to a Business Unit structure with the Commercial Vehicles Division headed by Girish Wagh and the Passenger Vehicle Division headed by Shailesh Chandra. “The Executive Committee is an experienced leadership team that has been successfully scripting the turnaround of the company and will continue to drive the business,” the statement added.
Girish Wagh, Shailesh Chandra, President – Passenger Vehicles and Thierry Bollore, CEO – Jaguar Land Rover will continue to work closely with the Chairman, N Chandrasekaran, the company informed.
Tata Motors earlier this year announced that former President and CEO of Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks in Asia, Marc Llistosella will become its new CEO & Managing Director from July 1, 2021. However, in late March, the automaker made another announcement stating Llistosella won’t be able to join Tata Motors since “he is unable to relocate to India for personal reasons at this point of time.”
